I enjoyed reading all the comments left by everyone. It is very humbling to get compliments from the bloggers whom I have admired for a long time and who are the inspiration behind me finally starting my very own blog!

Friday, May 29, 2009

It’s Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. Be sure to visit Beverly's blog to see a complete list of all the participants in today's Pink Saturday.

This week is a special Pink Saturday. Beverly has been the hostess of this blog event for one year now! Congratulations and Thank you Beverly! I know how much time and energy it takes to host a weekly event and we all appreciate all you do! I have met some wonderful people … thanks to you! May your day be filled with lots of pink… and may there be many more Pink Saturdays for us all!

I was hoping I would have some pictures of some of my roses this week…but with all the rain we have had lately…they are all a little battered… I really like English roses (David Austin)…and they seem to do well in my yard… Here is a picture of Austin’s Cottage Rose… I hope to have more pictures soon!

Since Beverly’s celebrating a birthday/anniversary for Pink Saturday… let’s eat some pink cake!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog and don't forget to visit Beverly’s blog How Sweet the Sound to see more pink!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Gollum at Designs by Gollum is the hostess for “Foodie Friday” (clicking on the logo on the right will take you to her site)

Today I am going to share one of my favorite salads….. Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad. The first time I had it was at Outback Steakhouse (restaurant). It was delicious…so, of course, I had to try to make it home! It sounds “involved” to make…but it is worth it…because it is delicious!

Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad

Ingredients

Candied cinnamon pecans

1/3 cup sliced-lengthwise pecans

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons butter, melted

Blue cheese vinaigrette

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white vinegar or champagne vinegar

1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons sour cream

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Salad

3 cups chopped bibb lettuce or butter lettuce

3 cups chopped red leaf lettuce

3 cups chopped iceberg lettuce

1 green onion, chopped

Directions

Candied cinnamon pecans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Slice each pecan half into three lengthwise pieces.

Mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar.

Toss pecans with melted butter, then with the cinnamon/sugar mixture, tossing well to ensure a thorough coating.

Put the nuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, until sugar is caramelized.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven, slide the parchment together with the nuts off the sheet to cool, and set aside.

Blue cheese vinaigrette

Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.

Salad

Chop the lettuces into smallish bite-sized pieces

Slice the green onion.

Place the chopped lettuce in a large serving bowl (one large enough to toss the salad in).

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

It’s time for “Outdoor Wednesday”. Learn more about “Outdoor Wednesday” HERE

1. POST your outdoor photos and the Outdoor Wednesday logo/button on your blog and link back to http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ so that others will be able to find all the links to other Outdoor Wednesday posts.

Reminder: Do NOT link in until after your post is up.

2. Add your Name and the Permalink to your post (NOT your general blog address) in “Mr. Linky”. For help with permalink see HERE.

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Rain, rain go away…come again some other day! We have had alot of rain the last few weeks….. I am ready to see the sun shine for a few days in a row!

I wish you could smell these pictures… the gardenias and confederate jasmine are two of my favorite blooms!

I have many gardenia bushes scattered throughout my yard….

Look at all the blooms!

The blooms are so pretty….

I have a few different varieties…. but I think many of them are called “August Beauty”……..

The blooms on the confederate jasmine are small…but fragrant!

They are hardy vines in my yard……..

They stay green all year…….

Don’t forget to visit other Outdoor Wednesday participants by clicking on their links. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Outdoor Wednesday participants.

NOTE: Mr Linky is being Stinky …..If you want to participate in Outdoor Wednesday this week….. please leave a comment and include your NAME and LINK TO BLOG POST and I will create a manual list and add it to this post and try to update it regularly. I apologize for the inconvenience~ Susan

Sunday, May 24, 2009

It’s time for Blue Monday hosted by Sally at Smiling Sally. Don’t forget to visit her site to see links to more participants!

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (on May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

I enjoyed reading all the comments left by everyone. It is very humbling to get compliments from the bloggers whom I have admired for a long time and who are the inspiration behind me finally starting my very own blog!

Friday, May 22, 2009

It’s time for Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. Be sure to visit Beverly's blog to see a complete list of all the participants in today's Pink Saturday. (clicking on picture will open a link to her site in a new window)

I hope you all have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend…. I wish I were on a pink beach! (I would settle for ANY beach, actually)

I have my pink pail….. and my pink bag…… and my pink flip flops……. and I am ready!!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog and don't forget to visit Beverly’s blog How Sweet the Sound to see more pink!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Gollum at Designs by Gollum is the hostess for “Foodie Friday” (clicking on the logo on the right will take you to her site)

This is Memorial Day weekend…and many will be cooking on the grill… I thought I’d share a potato salad recipe that is quick and easy… and different!

Zesty New Potato Salad

Prep Time: 25 min

Total Time: 3 hr 25 min

Makes: 8 servings, about 1/2 cup each

Ingredients

2 lb. new potatoes, quartered

1/2 cup Miracle Whip Light Dressing

2 green onions, sliced

4 tsp. Grey Poupon Savory Honey Mustard

2 tsp. honey

1/8 tsp. black pepper

Directions

Place potatoes in large saucepan. Add enough water to completely cover potatoes. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 20 min. or until potatoes are tender. Drain. Rinse potatoes with cold water until cooled; drain.

Stir in 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, tarragon or basil, before chilling.

Peeling Green-Skinned Potatoes- If potatoes have a slight green tinge to the skin, be sure to peel them before use. The green color is caused by prolonged exposure to the light and contains a substance that can be toxic.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Visit Gollum at Designs by Gollum for more “Foodie Friday” participants.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

It’s time for “Outdoor Wednesday”. Learn more about “Outdoor Wednesday” HERE

1. POST your outdoor photos and the Outdoor Wednesday logo/button on your blog and link back to http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ so that others will be able to find all the links to other Outdoor Wednesday posts.

Reminder: Do NOT link in until after your post is up.

2. Add your Name and the Permalink to your post (NOT your general blog address) in “Mr. Linky”. For help with permalink see HERE.

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My youngest son went to prom…. and they took a few pictures outside….. so I thought I would share them!

Don’t forget to visit other Outdoor Wednesday participants by clicking on their links. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Outdoor Wednesday participants.

I enjoyed reading all the comments left by everyone. It is very humbling to get compliments from the bloggers whom I have admired for a long time and who are the inspiration behind me finally starting my very own blog!